Morocco-marriage

Marriage in Morocco
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about marriage in Morocco.  The information on marrying in Morocco is provided as a general guide and is based upon information provided to the British Embassy by the relevant local authorities in Morocco.  The information is therefore only up to date and accurate to the extent that such authorities provide us with timely and accurate information.  Accordingly, the British Embassy does not guarantee that this information is accurate and will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.  British nationals wishing to obtain information about marriage must also contact the relevant local authority to be sure of the requirements for signing a Moroccan marriage contract.

Marriage in Morocco: General questions
Will my marriage under Moroccan law be recognised in the UK?

Marriage in Morocco: General questions
Can I get married in Morocco?

British nationals can marry Moroccan nationals in Morocco.

British Muslim nationals can marry nationals of other countries in Morocco, provided that the other person is either Muslim, Christian or Jewish.  The procedure for this marriage is the same as for a British national marrying a Moroccan national in Morocco.

British nationals may marry non-Moroccan non-Muslim nationals in Morocco, provided that each person is either Christian or Jewish.  More information is provided below.

British Consular staff in Morocco cannot currently perform consular marriages.

All marriages in Morocco are carried out under Moroccan Islamic law.  It is not possible to have a civil marriage ceremony conducted in Morocco.

Information for British nationals marrying non-Moroccan non-Muslim nationals in Morocco

Can non-Moroccan non-Muslim nationals get married in Morocco?

Yes, they can if  both parties are Christian or Jewish.

Where can the marriage take place?

The marriage can take place at any Adoul’s (religious notary) office in Morocco.

What is the procedure for non-Muslims to get married?

The procedure is largely the same as for a British national marrying a Moroccan national in Morocco; both parties should produce a document showing that they are Christian or Jewish, along with the full list of documents required by the Moroccan Family Court.  The non-Muslim couple will have to put a request to the Family Judge,  at the Family Department,  Court of First Instance.  The judge will forward the file to the Procureur du Roi for his approval. Once the application has been approved, the Procureur sends the file back to the judge to authorize the marriage.

Do you have a list of documents that I have to submit to the Family Court?

Yes, the list of documents that the non-Muslim couple has to submit to the Family Judge is the same as for one British national marrying one Moroccan national, with the exception that the non-Muslim man needs to submit a document showing that he is Christian or Jewish and not a certificate of conversion to Islam.  Please click here to see the full list.

Is the marriage carried out under Moroccan Islamic law?

Yes it is. Under the Islamic law, the 2 Adouls will have to make sure that the would-be husband and wife consent to the marriage, that the dowry, which the fiance must give to his fiancee, is mentioned on the marriage certificate,  and that the marriage certificate should be written and signed by the 2 adouls, not by a notary public. The marriage certificate will have to bear the signature of the couple, that of the 2 adouls, and that of the judge.

What is a dowry?

The dowry can be any symbolic amount of money, a property, or a car.  The husband does not have to give the money, property or car before marriage if both parties agree, however the marriage certificate must clearly state the dowry which is essential under Moroccan Islamic law.

Is the marriage carried out in English?

No.  The marriage is carried out in Arabic.  If you do not understand Arabic, when spoken or written, you will have to use the services of a translator.  The marriage certificate will be written in Arabic.

How long does the marriage procedure take?

If all the papers are in order, the couple can get the authorisation within 2 days and get married within a week.  However it may take some time to collect all of the necessary papers before submitting the application for marriage to the Family Judge.

A marriage celebrated in Morocco and valid under Moroccan law will generally be recognised in the UK. However, only the UK courts can rule definitively on this issue and validity under Moroccan law is no guarantee that a marriage will be recognised in the UK. If you need guidance as to whether your Moroccan marriage will be recognised in the UK we would advise you to obtain appropriate legal advice.

Please be aware that the documents required for marriage in Morocco may vary depending on where in the country you are getting married.  We therefore strongly advise you to check with the authorities in the location of your intended marriage for their actual requirements.

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